Volcanic Eruptions: affect global climate for a year or two. Large quantities of Sulphur Dioxide and dust into stratosphere causing the aerosol effect, resulting in incoming solar radiation being reflected- reducing temperatures

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)- motor vehicles and power stations as well as production and use of nitrate fertilisers, especially with more water-logged soils

Ozone- stratosphere ozone depleted due to release of CFCs- this Ozone is essential for protecting life on earth by absorbing most harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Ozone in the troposphere is a result of human activity.

Low-level Ozone created when sunlight causes a photochemical reaction with Nitrogen Oxides and vehicle emissions

Chlorofluorcarbons (CFCs)- aerosol propellants, fire extinguishers etc. Being phased out- Montrel Protocol but 100 year lifespan means they continue to exist in the environment. Found in troposhere and destroy ozone in the stratosphere

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1.3 Causes of climate Change Extended

Evidence for Global Warming

Retreating ice sheets and galciers, and rising sea levels

Glaciers in Mount Everest region of Himalayas are retreating rapidly

Attributed to rising sea tempreatures

Recession in outlet glaciers of Greenland and Antarctica Ice Sheets are destablishing them

Glaciers e.g. Helheim, drain nearly 1/5 of the Greenland ice sheet

Permafrost Layer Melting- Building and road damage

Extreme Weather Events

Heat of Oceans increase the intensity and frequency of hurricanes

Droughts increased in length and intensity, affecting spain, Australia and East Africa

Moving Biome Boundries

Spruce Trees in Yukon, Northern Canada taking over former Tundra

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1.3 Causes of climate Change Adittional

Environmental and Human Factors

Ruddiman Hypothesis- Ice Age is post-poned due to early farming activities leading to increasing CO2 and CH4 emissions

Gaia Principle- The Earth regulates itself through negative feedback.

Damage to the biosphere and the increase in greenhouse gas emissions are testing the Earth's ability to self-regulate

1.4 Issues resulting from Climate Change

Temperate grasslands, steppes of north Asia and North American prairies (bread baskets of the world- principle grain-growing areas), drier summers and colder winters, reducing grain production and potentially food shortages and famine.

Creeping desertfication in the Sahel may be stopped as the rainbelt moves North

Ecological impacts as climatic belts shift

Species must adapt or migrate to survive and so are invading new areas and mixing with formerly non-overlapping species

Heatwaves- become more frequent. August 2003- 40,000 deaths in Western Europe. Heatwaves are combined with extended dry periods result in increasing forest fires- Victoria, Australia February 2009. Heat and wind lead to Firestorms- N.E Melbourne- 120 deaths.

1.5 Strategies to address Climate Change Continued

Kyoto Protocol- (international agreement signed in Japan Decemebr 1997) aim to reduce greenhouse gases and became law February 2005. USA's target not binding as so far declined to fatify the agreement

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)- provide a well-researched scientific view on the current state of climatic change and potential environmental and socioeconomic consequences. Led to key international treaty- reduce global warming and cope with the consequences of climate change.

Greenpeace- spur national government and international organisations into action. Campaigns against 3rd runway at heathrow and development of new coal-fired power stations. Support energy conservation and renewable energy

1.6 Success of tackling climate change

Kyoto Protocol- failed expectations because; USA & Australia didn't sign and ratify the treaty; many countries have not met their agreed aims; many countries, e.g. Russia, not required to make reductions

Did establish a framework for a future climate agreements

UN Climate Change Conference- December 2009 aimed for 77 countries to cut greenhouse gases. However, talks broke down and only 5 nations signed.